A Change in Tune? Union Mulls Over Relations with the Left Party
Union deliberates alliance with the Left Party
The tumultuous Chancellor race has sparked a heated debate within the Union, questioning its collaborative relationship with the Left Party. To make a second round in the Bundestag, the CDU/CSU needed to talk to the Left - but there's a non-cooperation resolution against them within the CDU itself.
Chancellor's Chief of Staff Thorsten Frei is now open to reconsidering this resolution. "We'll need to discuss this," the CDU politician said on ntv's early morning show. Dismantling the resolution of the CDU federal party congress may not be a breeze, Frei admitted, but the situation warrants a re-evaluation of certain questions.
Morning Revelations Frei on Merz's election: "Nothing short of shocking" During Tuesday's early morning show, it was a surprise when CDU leader Friedrich Merz failed in the first round of the Chancellor vote. To hold another round on the same day, a motion needed a two-thirds majority of MPs. Since this majority could only be achieved with the AfD, considered right-wing extremist, or the Left Party, apart from the CDU/CSU, SPD, and Greens, the Union had discussions with both. However, the CDU has a non-cooperation resolution against the Left, which prevents collaboration. This resolution was passed at the CDU party congress in 2018.
Political Woes Van Aken: "No future for Merz" The Chancellor vote once again exposed the problem that a two-thirds majority is not easily achievable, Frei explained. Now, it's about finding pragmatic solutions for the country. "The country's well-being always supersedes party interests."
Linnemann: Non-Cooperation Resolution Remains
On Tuesday evening, CDU General Secretary Carsten Linnemann stated on ZDF that procedural issues had already been settled between the parliamentary business managers previously. This was also the case during the Chancellor vote.
Political Insights Merz's election: disgrace, small victory for the Left, and Kloeckner's baptism of fire Linnemann emphasized, "However, we still have this non-cooperation resolution in place." There are left-wing extremist factions within the Left Party. How the resolution will be dealt with moving forward will depend on party congresses, Linnemann also showed a willingness to discuss the issue openly. The CDU is a party "that faces internal conflicts head-on."
New Union parliamentary business manager Steffen Bilger confirmed on Wednesday in Welt that the new talks with the Left were "not about substantive cooperation." "The non-cooperation resolution remains." However, there will be occasions in the Bundestag in the coming weeks when talks will have to take place, such as organizational issues.
The Left Party Leader Ines Schwerdtner has already encouraged the CDU/CSU to collaborate more closely with her party in the future. She expects the Union to engage not only during crises but also in other political decisions requiring a two-thirds majority. She told the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland: "Democratic parties should be able to communicate with each other."
The Union did not engage in talks with the AfD during the Chancellor vote. The CDU also has a ban on membership with the party, which was recently classified as "undoubtedly right-wing extremist" by the constitutional protection agency.
On Wednesday, AfD leader Alice Weidel accused the CDU of wanting to "alliance with the Left". "It's already clear that a small coalition of Union and SPD will struggle to govern."
Sources: ntv.de, gho/AFP
- The Left
- CDU
- CSU
- Friedrich Merz
- The Commission, in light of recentpolitical events, has been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, given the potential need for collaborations with parties like the Left in Parliament.
- Amidst the changing dynamics of German politics, discussions around the repeal of the non-cooperation resolution against the Left Party within the CDU have surfaced, as pragmatic solutions for the country's well-being may necessitate such collaborations.
- In response to the CDU's openness to reconsider its non-cooperation stance towards the Left, Ines Schwerdtner, the Left Party Leader, encouraged more collaborative efforts between the two parties, emphasizing the importance of democratic parties being able to communicate with each other.
- As Whatsapp messages revealing the CDU's discussions with the Left Party about acquiring a two-thirds majority in the Chancellor vote were leaked, Alice Weidel, the AfD leader, accused the CDU of pursuing an alliance with the Left, predicting that a small coalition of Union and SPD would struggle to govern effectively.
